Green Thumb Opportunity

Cannabis legalization in Washington has been a net positive for most state residents. No doubt, the end of cannabis prohibition has been particularly beneficial to those citizens who consumed it before it was legal. Still, there are many little links in the chain that keep cannabis from being fully accessible. One of those little links is the recent adoption of recreational laws that disallow home grows. A new bill seeks to change that, and allow Washington State residents the chance to once again grow their own cannabis at home legally.

The bill, HB-1092, which was sponsored by Sherry Appleton, lays out a reasonable and compelling plan to allow, but also limit home grow operations. The bill would allow all adults over 21 years of age to grow at home. The amount each adult is allowed to grow, is laid out in the bill. “[S]ix marijuana plants and up to 24 ounces of useable nine marijuana harvested from lawfully grown plants.”

“No more than 12 marijuana plants and 48 ounces of useable marijuana may be possessed, in the aggregate, by the adult residents of a single housing unit, regardless of the number of persons 21 years of age or older residing in the housing unit.”

It appears the days of medical co-op type grow houses are still over even if this bill were to pass however, because it does not allow more than two adults at a time to reside and grow cannabis in the same residence.

“No more than 12 marijuana plants and 48 ounces of usable marijuana may be possessed, in the aggregate, by the adult residents of a single housing unit, regardless of the number of persons 21 years of age or older residing in the housing unit,” the bill reads.

In a statement to the Seattle PI, cannabis attorney Daniel Shortt explains how Washington differs from other recreational states when it comes to home growing laws, and why it’s a logical next step for Washington. “Washington has been fairly unique, in that it doesn’t allow for recreational home grow(ing); even Colorado, who legalized before Washington, allows for it. So in some ways it makes sense that we’re seeing this kind of legislation.”

This bill was introduced on January 11, and is currently being deliberated. If it passes, HB-1092 is the perfect type of legislation to help out the working class cannabis user. Decriminalizing the home cultivation of cannabis will help ease the burden of payment for medical and recreational users alike. After all, what good is the legalization of a plant if you’re not allowed to grow it?